Device for taking foot-impressions



y 3, 1932- A. LETTERMANN 1,856,394

DEVICE FOR TAKING FOOT IMPRESSIONS Filed D sc. 7. 1929 70 van for. flywfzz n/nwm ZZ/KQ Patented 'May 3, 1932 ADOLF LETTEBM ANN, OF BERLIN-TEHPEIHOF, GEM! DEVICE FOR TAKTNG FOOT-IMPRESSIONS Application filed December 7, 1929, Serial 1T0.

This invention relates to a device for taking foot impressions. In order to do away with the complaints and organic alterations resulting from a flat-foot, splay-foot or stretched foot a great number of foot sup- 'ports have been constructed. These supports are either manufactured uniformly according to the size of the foot or adapted to the foot by measuring the treading surface. These measurements are, for instance, carried out in such away that the patient is made to set his .foot with the sole painted upon white paper, or the patient is made to step upon a semi-set mass of plaster of Paris. However in both cases no image of the burdened sole isobtained permittin of con- I clusions as to the degree of sinking o the foot caused by the load. The correct image can' only be obtained by exerting pressure upon the sole from below upwards and thereby removing the sinking caused by the relaxing of the ligaments.

A pneumatic chamber would be ca able of solving this problem, but steady wal g on such a support would be impossible for various reasons.

Now I have found that an impression of a sole may well be produced representing an exact copy of the burdened sole showing the so fepgsition of the bone p sinking under the A device for taking an impression of such kind is illustrated in annexed drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a plan view, and Fig. 2, a vertical cross section of a device embodying. my invention.

The device consists of a flat chamber having an elastic envelope a, the plan view corres lpholndin' to outline of a human foot.

's chamber is .filled with a molten mass 6 which solidifies after some time, such as a mixture of paraflin and wax.

When the patient steps upon this chambe filled with the molten mass and'remains upon it until the mass has soli ed, the mass in the chamber is compressed'by the weight of the body so that it forces upwards the least burdened parts i. e. the very ones sunk by loosening of the Ii 60 tension ofthe relaxe ligaments cannot occur.

ments. An excessive 412,502, and in Germany December 11, 1988.

The chamber may also be provided with a flexible pipe, as c in Fig. 1, throu h which the molten mass may be in ected, un er pressure, into the evacuated loaded chamber.

The described device ermits of taking measure in the boot itsel Hereby, besides the impression of the foot, the exact dform of the inner sole of the boot or shoe is reproduced. The impression may be used, with or without the envelope, as a permanent foot support.

I claim 1. A. device for taking foot impressions, comprising a flat closed elastic chamber hav ing the outline of a human foot and filled with a liquid mass which solidifies in a short time.

2. A. device for taking foot impressions, comprising a flat closed elastic chamber havin the outline of a human foot and being ed with a liquid mass-which solidifies in a short time, and a flexible pipe communicating with the said chamber.

3. The method of taking im ressions from a flat, spla or stretched foot 0 a person, comprising ing a plastic mass WhlCh solidifies m a short time into a flexible chamber having substantially the outline of the foot, putting this chamber into a boot or shoe, and shapin the said chamber b making the person wa upon the said cham er.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ADOLF LETTERMANN. 

